Composer and guitarist André M. Santos showcases his chamber works on his debut Ravello Records release Sounds of a Different Universe. Santos wrote each of the pieces featured on the album for fellow musicians and friends, resulting in a kaleidoscope of diverse personalities and styles. To this end, the sounds in his pieces indeed inhabit a different universe - his colourful chamber works bring together unexpected and intriguing combinations of instruments and timbres...

André M. Santos delivers a diverse palette of themes and set pieces in his Sounds of a Different Universe chamber works album. If you're not a fan of modern chamber music then you may not enjoy this collection, but if you like to see new musical experimentation in the genre then you'll find plenty to enjoy here.

The album contains 10 songs (54 min, 02 sec) in which he invites the listener to search for the secret hidden at the heart of his trio for flute, oboe, and piano, 'A Skeleton in the Closet'. He uses the accordion in 'Word study: Manipulation' and 'Insistes persiste e não desiste!' (Insist, persist and don’t give up!) to explore abstract psychological themes, such as anxiety and manipulation.

In other pieces, Santos draws inspiration from tangible figures and places. His 'Fantasias' for solo guitar - 'Divetimento', 'Valsa' and 'Epílogo' - draw inspiration from the work of Brazilian guitarist Yamandu Costa.

In 'Lima', his three-movement trio for clarinet, oboe, and piano, Santos explores the Peruvian city through the eyes of its people, painting images of the city with imaginative timbres and traditional rhythmic motives of Peruvian music.

So, as you can see, there are many themes that Santos draws upon in order deliver some truly incredible set pieces. It's modern, it's diverse, it's worth picking up.

Track listing:

01 - A skeleton in the closet
João Vidinha, flute; Salvador Parola, oboe;
Cândido Fernandes, piano

02 - Word study: Manipulation
Miguel Vieira da Silva, classical guitar;
Sérgio Neves, clarinet; Carisa Marcelino, accordion

Fantasias
03 - I. Divertimento
04 - II. Valsa
05 - III. Epílogo

Lima
Bruno Graça, clarinet; João Miguel, oboe;
Cândido Fernandes, piano
06 - I.
07 - II.
08 - III.

09 - Insiste, persiste e não desiste!
João Barradas, accordion

10 - Sounds of an annoyed person
Marco Fernandes, marimba and vibraphone;
André M. Santos, electronics

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Darren Rea